Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 1, 2018
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11, NKJV
“Widespread carcinomatosis“, a recent life altering prognosis for my mom. We wept. To suffer is a big burden to bear. To see a loved one suffer is pain that takes faith and patience in prayer to process. A parent once throbbing with life and laughter, suddenly ravaged by an incurable disease. A child born with an ailment that requires a lifetime of intense medical attention. Most of us will experience the afflictions of someone precious who will need us to be strong in their time of need. We suffer with them for their comfort and peace. By God’s grace, all are able to suffer well.
Job, one of God’s giants in the faith, found a way to suffer well. Not always a perfect exhibit of how to handle pain, this man of God experienced a deeper faith and patience as he processed out loud to his long-suffering heavenly Father and to his well meaning, but sometimes impatient friends. The outcome of the Lord’s blessings were not evident to all, until after Job had endured. Christ’s compassion and mercy, may seem late to those who labor under painful conditions, but grace and mercy meet us at the intersection of our fears, our faith, our pain and our perseverance.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Is your heart broken, because of the brokenness you see and feel in someone you love? You may second guess yourself for not doing more, but don’t go there—even if you could have done more, you can’t go back and undo the past. Instead, lean into the compassion and mercy of Christ to forgive you, free you and give you the confidence to stand firm for a friend or family member who has fallen. Walk with her through her valley, so she knows she is not alone and remind her of God’s river of love that flows through the valley of the shadow of death. Allow suffering to stretch your faith to places you’ve never been, so you can support the frail and the fearful.
You may not know the end God intends until after you have endured. The windshield of life does not always discern what’s ahead until you can gaze at life through your rearview mirror. Keep the wick of your life burning bright for the Lord in rest, soul care and earnest prayers from your caring community. Just as a burning candle lights another candle with nothing lost, so your unwavering faith and patient love ignite the light of comfort, hope and peace to help another suffer well. Faith and patience to suffer well are drawn from the deep well of knowing God.
Live a life story of suffering well; your faith will instruct and inspire another to suffer well.
“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to Your throne of grace for Your great comfort and mercy, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Who needs your loving presence and prayers to comfort and support him?
Related Reading
2 Corinthians 1:6; Ephesians 3:13; Colossians 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:6
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Faith and patience to suffer well are drawn from the deep well of knowing God. #WisdomHunters #sufferwell
Worship Resource
9 minutes – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir:
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